Audiometers


Hearing is one of the most important attributes that humans have available to them. Through our hearing we are able to communicate verbally and pattern our society with distinct audio tones that help with everyday life.

About one in a thousand children are deaf by age three, which can result from hereditary problems or can be caused by premature birth or other pregnancy risks, such as rubella.

In adults, hearing loss happens more gradually, some develops as age-related hearing loss, while other forms occur from viral infections of the inner ear or from repeated damage in professions that have high noise surroundings.

Unfortunately for some, hearing loss deprives them of the ability to hear clearly, thus depriving some with luxuries that others take for granted. There is a complete range of tests that can be done to determine how much hearing loss you have suffered. Most of these tests are conducted by an audiology clinic or the local hospital. Specialists who treat ear problems are often referred to as otolaryngologists, and they will often perform a thorough physical examination with an audiometer to test the degree of hearing loss.

How Does Hearing Loss Happen?

Sound consists of vibrations in the air called wavelengths. The ear picks up these signals by using tiny, irreplaceable hairs to pick up all vibrations and convert them into electric signals. These signals are then sent to the brain, which identifies the information and reacts accordingly. The volume of these sounds are measured in decibels, or db.

As technology continues to evolve and the workplace continues to become louder and louder, hearing loss has come into play for several occupational fields. Severe noise damage destroys the irreplaceable hair cells in the inner ear, which leads to inevitable hearing loss. Whether you're a construction worker, airport operator or concert stagehand, the loudness of the surrounding atmosphere leads many occupations to require their employees to wear protective ear wear, most often in the form of ear plugs or ear muffs.

How An Audiometer Can Help

An audiometer is an instrument used for recording the intensity of sound heard by patients. This can then be used to find the extent of hearing loss. The procedure involves playing pure tones, either musical or non-musical, at differing frequencies and intensities.

Tests are normally given by air conduction by an ear muff, or by probes placed on the bone behind the ear. The patient is seated in a quiet testing chamber and made to wear earphones. Each ear is tested separately. The sounds begin with the lowest frequency that is increased till the person is able to hear the sound. The patient indicates as such by raising a hand, and the audiometer reading is noted. The resulting audiogram then interprets the results as hard data and is analyzed by specialists.

There are also other medical uses for audiometers that extend beyond evaluations of hearing loss patients. Audiometers are also used to measure the hearing power of children soon after birth, as a non-invasive and painless method to assess hearing normalcy.

By Blaise Morita           


Related Links:

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